Coastal Cleanup Day Sept. 20! Volunteer!

Save Our Shores seeks volunteers for 30th Annual Coastal Cleanup Day

Nonprofit will lead cleanups at 70 Central Coast sites on Sept. 20

SANTA CRUZ – Save Our Shores (SOS) will coordinate the largest community cleanup of the year from 9 a.m.-noon on Saturday, Sept. 20, as part of Annual Coastal Cleanup Day.

The event spans the globe, with volunteers in more than 100 countries removing garbage from beaches and waterways. Locally, SOS is leading cleanups at more than 70 sites located throughout Santa Cruz and Monterey counties, as well as an offshore cleanup conducted via SUPs and kayaks. SOS expects at least 3,000 community volunteers to participate on Saturday.

SOS uses data collected during Annual Coastal Cleanup Day to analyze the health of the Central Coast. For the first time in the event’s history, Loch Lomond Recreation Area has been added to the list of cleanup sites, with the help of the City of Santa Cruz.

“Due to drought conditions, we have the unique opportunity to clean exposed shoreline at the Loch Lomond Reservoir,” said Rachel Kippen, SOS program manager. “I am hopeful for volunteers’ assistance, as it is a priority for healthy water quality.”

On Saturday, SOS will also target its Top 10 Hot Spots—¬Davenport Main Beach, Panther Beach, Cowell/Main Beach, San Lorenzo River, Sunny Cove, Aptos Creek, Soquel Creek, Watsonville Slough, Elkhorn Slough and Sand City Beach¬—which have demonstrated the greatest need for outreach and cleanup efforts, according to data and community input.

For the second year in a row, Secretary of Natural Resources John Laird will help clean Cowell Beach. “It is our biggest cleanup day of the year and as the local coordinator for this international event, we are so honored to have Secretary Laird, a Santa Cruz local, joining SOS in this effort,” said Laura Kasa, SOS executive director.

In 2013, SOS coordinated 3,064 volunteers in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties who worked together to remove more than 17,000 pounds of waste from local beaches and waterways in just three hours. With the help of business sponsors, supporters, SOS members, and volunteers, Annual Coastal Cleanup Day embodies the true spirit of community and citizen action.

SOS will supply all necessary cleanup materials, but participants are encouraged to bring buckets and old garden gloves to help reduce the amount of waste created during this event.

SOS will give away prizes for the strangest item collected, largest item collected, and best Coastal Cleanup Day flair on Sept. 20. Send photos to media@saveourshores.org or post on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using #SaveOurShores. SOS will announce the winners on Facebook on Sept. 22.

Visit saveourshores.org/acc for more details and to pre-register.

For more information, contact SOS Program Manager Rachel Kippen at (808) 721-1136 or rachel@saveourshores.org.